Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

The Dreaded Head Fog


Sweetfudge

Recommended Posts

Sweetfudge Community Regular

what can i do about it? got glutened, and my head is just floating somewhere. it's so annoying! feel like i can't focus on anything!!!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



blueeyedmanda Community Regular

I am not sure there is much you can do, maybe take a nap...I hate the head fog!

Karen B. Explorer

I don't know a cure but Red Bull helps me focus.

loraleena Contributor

Taking a brisk walk in fresh air helps me.

aikiducky Apprentice

Extra vit. B complex helps me... and copious amounts of caffeine, if your tummy can handle it right now. :unsure:

Hope you feel better soon.

Pauliina

mftnchn Explorer

Detox treatment helps me.

Karen B. Explorer
Extra vit. B complex helps me... and copious amounts of caffeine, if your tummy can handle it right now. :unsure:

Hope you feel better soon.

Pauliina

That may be why Red Bull helps me where coffee or colas don't. It has B vitamins, taurine and inositol.

I'm in no way saying it's a health food :-)

But it helps me focus when I've had a gluten hit or even just picked up a bug. I don't really like the taste (usually mix it with orange juice) and most of the time, I drink coffee instead. But when brain fog hits, it helps me more than coffee or other caffeine sources.

I drink the regular because aspartame causes me other problems.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Sweetfudge Community Regular

thanks all, i'll have to give red bull a shot.

jmd3 Contributor
what can i do about it? got glutened, and my head is just floating somewhere. it's so annoying! feel like i can't focus on anything!!!

I feel for you sooooo bad, I used to get it for a whole week. I get a super headache the next day if I drink a lot of caffeine. I drink lots of water, and a special detox tea, an extra vitamin, and I throw a nap in there too. I hope you start feeling better soon!

WorkNsurf Rookie

Its rough when you cant focus. I had a headache for a few months after the doc told me i cant drink budweisers for the rest of my life. Got into some deep meditation down by the beach, it took care of everything. Hope you find your cure.

Sweetfudge Community Regular
Got into some deep meditation down by the beach, it took care of everything.

OMG if only I lived by the beach again. I seriously would LOVE that!! Took it for granted as a kid :(

Teacher1958 Apprentice
what can i do about it? got glutened, and my head is just floating somewhere. it's so annoying! feel like i can't focus on anything!!!

Oh God, I remember that feeling. I had it for about 42 years off and on. I don't miss it one bit. I am almost phobic about getting glutened.

Ken70 Apprentice

Has anyone thought about the connection of sugar and insulin response as it relates to "brain fog". I know from a previous diet that if your blood sugars aren't balanced then you are going to be constantly fighting a see saw of mental clarity.

If you eat gluten free it doesn't seem to preclude certain high carboyhydrate foods. High carb foods can cause a spike in insulin. Insulin's job is to remove excess sugar from your bloodstream. Your brain really needs that sugar so as soon as your blood starts to empty of it you are sent the hungry/starving message. This can start the cycle all over again if you choose something like potato chips or red bull etc..

Balancing your blood sugars takes some time but it is easy to do if you are eating gluten free. I would read the Zone or South Beach or even Atkins. All of them foucs on your body's hormonal responses to food and at least in the Zone book he talks about the brain fog that you are refferring to.

Definately stop the high sugar high carb stuff and give it a few days. It should go away.

Rosewynde Rookie

There are two things I try. If I'm also feeling dehydrated I try Gatorade, or Water and a Thermo Tab. If I'm not dehydrated then then I take a multivitamin. I kind of figured it means your brain or body isn't getting something it has to have.

Lillian Newbie

Hi, I agree with Ken70. I hate those head fogs. I never knew what they were until my diagnose almost 2 years ago. I used to think my mind was playing tricks on me. I would purposely initiate conversations just to make sure I was on track and not talking nonsense. Also, it seems like I work harder at concentrating when I get the head fog, or gluten fog. I am conscientious of what goes in my mouth 24/7. Think of all we can eat instead of what we can't. When I eat more proteins and vegetables and lower the carbs intake, I feel great. I do drink coffee for the head fogs and lots of water. It is hard to stay fog free for many days in a row. But at least I know exactly what it is. As hard as this condition is, it could be much worse. The only thing that bothers me is that we have absolutely no control over the cross contamination that takes place in restaurants. If you go to an Italian restaurant, chances are your salad has flour in it. It got into it in the kitchen. So I order coffee first when I go out now. It does help! Lillian

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,901
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.